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Sounders Seek Fourth US Open Cup Trophy

It must be summer because the Sounders are back at Starfire to start their defense of the US Open Cup. The first match up has them playing the Atlanta Silverbacks. The Silverbacks come from the NASL, the second division of professional US soccer, just below the MLS. Founded in 1995 as the Atlanta Ruckus, the Silverbacks were one of the founding teams of the newly created NASL. The team features former Chilean national team player Reinaldo Navia. Also of note are a couple of hometown guys, Ciaran O’Brien of Federal Way, and Raphael Cox of Tacoma who also played for UW. To earn their spot in the third round match up against the Sounders the Silverbacks defeated fourth division team Georgia Revolution 1-0. The initial draw had the Silverbacks hosting the match, but the USSF allowed teams to make offers to buy the rights to host the game. Consequently the Sounders made an offer to the Silverbacks that they couldn’t refuse, and the match was moved to Starfire. This has caused quite a bit of controversy amongst some who feel the draw should be respected and hosting rights should not be allowed to be sold. I can understand that sentiment, but I also understand why MLS teams should be able to purchase hosting rights to limit travel in a congested summer schedule. Anyhow, that’s a discussion for another time. All I know is that we got an opportunity to see the game here, which made the 3,700 or so Sounders fans who showed up pretty happy.

Fans Cheer on the Sounders

The Silverbacks came out with a lot of energy and hustle as you’d imagine. In the first half the Sounders absorbed what pressure the Silverbacks threw at them, and pretty much dominated in possession and shots. But a few good chances went for naught as shots went off target or were saved by the Silverbacks keeper. It was looking like the teams would be going into the halftime break with a 0-0 draw until Andy Rose found the ball at his feet and blasted a shot through a crowd of defenders, and past a stunned keeper, for a score in the 44th minute.

The second half started off where the first ended with the Sounders dominating the attack. The speedy youngster Cordell Cato broke away down the right hand side, then slid a pass into Osvaldo Alonso who froze his defender long enough to slam a shot into the corner of the net for a second Sounders goal in the 47th minute. A few minutes later Silverbacks striker Navia was able to get behind the Sounders defense and score, bringing them back into the game. But that was pretty much it for the Silverbacks as within a minute of that goal Alex Caskey intercepted a pass at midfield and carried it all the way to the left side of the box were he let loose for a strike that made it 3-1 Sounders. Then Sammy Ochoa came alive with goals in the 63rd and 66th minute to make it 5-1 Sounders.

Sounders Defeat Silverbacks 5-1

After seeing seven MLS teams eliminated from the US Open Cup the day before, coach Schmid fielded a strong team of regular starters and bench players. Having Alonso available for this match due to his two game MLS suspension helped solidify the midfield and allowed the strikers and wingers to push forward putting enormous pressure on the Silverbacks defense.

The other MLS team in action that night was the Portland Timbers. Hosting the amateur team Cal FC at Jeld-Wen field the Timbers could not buy a goal. Timbers DP Kris Boyd blew a chance to take the lead when he put a PK into the stands. Eventually Cal FC was able to score in extra time, making them the first amateur team to defeat an MLS team in US Open Cup history. Cal FC will be bringing their Cinderella story to Starfire next Tuesday in what ought to be a fun match up with the Sounders.

Note: This is a seattlepi.com reader blog. It is not written or edited by the P-I. The authors are solely responsible for content. E-mail us at newmedia@seattlepi.com if you consider a post inappropriate.

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Simon MoyseBorn in London, Simon joined the Emerald City Supporters after he moved to Snohomish in 2004. He watches games with his son Elliott.